The health of a body of water is a reflection of the health of the land that surrounds it. Wildfire effects on bodies of water are described as "pulse disturbances," which means you will get a usually short-lived period of severe effects. Effects include higher water temperatures and increased sediment. Streams and rivers recover more quickly because effects are washed downstream. Fish and other aquatic species can move up or downstream, avoiding harm during the fire and moving back into the area after the fire is out. Lakes and ponds take longer to turn over, but generally do so over a five-year period.

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